A method for providing notifications is provided. The method includes a tangible user interface (TUI) element the receives an input from a computing device coupled to the TUI element. The input is indicative of an outcome corresponding to a functionality of an application on the computing device. Based on the outcome, the TUI element determines at least one illumination pattern from a plurality of pre-stored illumination patterns. Thereafter, the TUI element generates an output based on the at least one determined illumination pattern.

A method for identifying a mechanical impedance of an electromagnetic load may include generating a waveform signal for driving an electromagnetic load, the waveform signal comprising a first tone at a first driving frequency and a second tone at a second driving frequency. The method may also include during driving of the electromagnetic load by the waveform signal or a signal derived therefrom, receiving a current signal representative of a current associated with the electromagnetic load and a back electromotive force signal representative of a back electromotive force associated with the electromagnetic load. The method may further include determining amplitude and phase information of the current signal responsive to the first tone and second tone, determining amplitude and phase information of the back electromotive force signal responsive to the first tone and second tone, and identifying parameters of the mechanical impedance of the electromagnetic load based on the amplitude and phase information of the current signal and the amplitude and phase information of the back electromotive force signal.

The Digital Command Prompting Device is an aid is to help all people, especially those who have special needs particularly individuals who have diminished or diminishing function of their brain. The device is predominately mobile but can also be stationary and can be programmed by receiving and selecting pre-set commands to operate and assist a User with their daily living standards or needs. The device also has other various features including an illuminated display panel, a GPS tracking capability, an alarm, an illumination element, solar panel and battery backup components, time and date clocks, is provided water resistance covers and/or material, among other things. The device may be used within the home environment, outdoor environment or a restricted environment, e.g. aged care facility, hospital, pre-school or school.

Smart appliances communicate over a local area network. A selected sound palette includes multiple soundfile groups that each include multiple soundfiles. Each soundfile within a given sound palette has a first common sound attribute, each soundfile within a given soundfile group has a second common sound attribute, each soundfile within a given soundfile group has a variation of the second common sound attribute that is unique among the soundfile groups, and each soundfile within a given soundfile group has a unique variation of a third common sound attribute. One soundfile group may be assigned to each of the appliances, and one soundfile within each soundfile group may be assigned to an alert type. The assigned soundfile group is sent to the appliance with identification of the alert type to which each soundfile is assigned, such that the appliance may use an assigned soundfile for audible alerts.

Smart appliances communicate over a local area network. A selected sound palette includes multiple soundfile groups that each include multiple soundfiles. Each soundfile within a given sound palette has a first common sound attribute, each soundfile within a given soundfile group has a second common sound attribute, each soundfile within a given soundfile group has a variation of the second common sound attribute that is unique among the soundfile groups, and each soundfile within a given soundfile group has a unique variation of a third common sound attribute. One soundfile group may be assigned to each of the appliances, and one soundfile within each soundfile group may be assigned to an alert type. The assigned soundfile group is sent to the appliance with identification of the alert type to which each soundfile is assigned, such that the appliance may use an assigned soundfile for audible alerts.

A pet-activated signaling device, a pet-activated signaling system, and a method of a pet signaling a human is provided. The pet-activated signaling device includes a belt, a transducer, and multiple bells. The transducer, which emits an electromagnetic signal, and bells, which emit an audible signal, are attached to the belt. The pet-activated signaling system includes the signaling device and a receiving device which emits an alert when a signal is received from the signaling device. The method of a pet signaling a human includes pawing at the pet-activated signaling device suspended from a door handle to activate the transducer and the bells. The invention is particularly useful for use on an exterior door, allowing a dog to use a familiar method of alerting a human to open the door even if the bells are not heard by the human.

A pet-activated signaling device, a pet-activated signaling system, and a method of a pet signaling a human is provided. The pet-activated signaling device includes a belt, a transducer, and multiple bells. The transducer, which emits an electromagnetic signal, and bells, which emit an audible signal, are attached to the belt. The pet-activated signaling system includes the signaling device and a receiving device which emits an alert when a signal is received from the signaling device. The method of a pet signaling a human includes pawing at the pet-activated signaling device suspended from a door handle to activate the transducer and the bells. The invention is particularly useful for use on an exterior door, allowing a dog to use a familiar method of alerting a human to open the door even if the bells are not heard by the human.

A luminaire and network for use in assisting persons in a building comprising: at least one lighting module, at least one communications component, a controller, an uninterruptible power supply in or coupled to the luminaire to power the lighting module, communications component and/or controller in the absence of a regular (e.g. AC) power supply, wherein the controller: triggers the lighting module to illuminate upon an activation event, facilitates communication via the communications and/or facilitates positioning of persons (or their devices) using the communications component and/or other components.

Various embodiments provide an ability to synchronize notifications with media playback. In one or more embodiments, when a user is consuming content, such as music, television, a game, an audible notification can be synchronized with the user's content consumption experience. For example, various embodiments can detect what type of content the user is consuming and changes in the content. For example, when the content is music, various embodiments can detect when the music changes or stops, and can then provide audible notifications to the user. Audible notifications can pertain to notifications associated with incoming messages, calls, and other information such as passive assistance notifications.

Various embodiments provide an ability to synchronize notifications with media playback. In one or more embodiments, when a user is consuming content, such as music, television, a game, an audible notification can be synchronized with the user's content consumption experience. For example, various embodiments can detect what type of content the user is consuming and changes in the content. For example, when the content is music, various embodiments can detect when the music changes or stops, and can then provide audible notifications to the user. Audible notifications can pertain to notifications associated with incoming messages, calls, and other information such as passive assistance notifications.